Train-dispatching system for railroads



March 3, 1931. s, wlGHT 1,794,567

TRAIN DISPATCHING SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS Filed Sept. 21, 1927 INVENTOR been conventionally illustrated. Since the particular track layout shown is lntended to accommodate traiiic moving in both directions, that is, consists of a portion of a single track railroad, the-main starting signals 2 and 2 entering signal 1, the take-siding signal 1 and the distant signals 3 and t only are required in the section shown, and have been illustrated. In the arrangement shown there is provided an approach indication relay EA which is normally energized through the following circuit :beginning at the terminal' B of a suitable source of current, front contact 17 of the track relay 3T, wire 18, front contact 19 of the track relay 21, wire 20, front contact21 of the track relay 1T, wire 22, windingof the approach indication relay EA, to a common return wire C connected to the other terminal of said source. The relay WA is energized over similar circuit readily traced and identified by similar reference characters.

or the siding, and for this reason he is we With the approach indication r lay EA energized the relay EX is energized through the following circuit :-beginning at the posi- 1 tive terminal. of the battery 40 wire ll. front contact 42 of the relayEA, wire l3, winding minal B, front contact 52 of the relay WP,

wire 53, front contact 54;, of the relay EX, wire 53, contact 5d of relay lVX, wire 55, winding of the relay GS to the common return wire C connected to the midpoint of said battery. In this connection it should be noted that if relay WP is deenergized and the detector traclrrelay 2131 is energized this same circuit is completed from the negative terminal NB of said battery through front contact 56 of relay 21)! and wire 57. It is believed that the structure has now been sufli .iently described so that the invention s best understood by'considering the operation of the various devices in response to control from thedispatchefs oflice and the response tothe movement of trains obtained.

Operat0n.Le-t us first assume that there is a train approaching from the right, but that this train has not yet reached the sig nal 3, and that the operator is uncertain as to whether this train 18 to take the n ing tolbe informed when the train reaches the traclr circuit containing track relay 311st) that he can compare this fact with other traffic conditions and may from such comparison determine'whet ier the train in question shall take the main track or the siding. As'soon as'this train moving from right to left treads upon the track circuit" containrelay EX is ale-energized for a moment, at is a while the magnetism of its magnetic circuit goes through Zero. Momentary de energization of the relay EX momentarily de-energizes the relay OS, and momentary de-energization of the relay OS ap )llQS current to the line wire 10 leading to the dispatchers office DO for a moment only through the following circuit :beginning at the plus terminal of the battery 60, back contact 2010f the relay EX, wire 202, front contact 203 of the relay A, wire 204:, back contact 205 of the relay 2S, wires 206 and 20?,back contact 208 of the relay Z, wire 64, front contact of the detector, track relay 2E1, wire 66, back contact 67 of the relay US, wir 68 and 10, wire 209, winding of the line relay 1 A, wire 210, contact 211 of the lever L in its neutral position to the common return wile C, which through bacl: contact 72 of relay OS and wire 73 is connected to the midpoint of the battery 60.

The completion of the circuit just traced effects energization of the indicating relay PA for a moment, and such momentary energization of this relay PA to the right with the lever L in the neutral position closes a pick up circuit for the relay EI which may be traced follows :beginning at the positive sine B of a suitable battery, front contact 220 of relay PA, polar contact 2210f thissame relay, wires 222 and 223, winding of the relay E1, wires 22% and 225, neutral contact 212 of the lever L, to the common return wire C. With the relay El once picked up it is stuck up through the follow ing stick circuit :-elements B, 226, 227, 223, E1, 224, 225, 202 to common wire C, back to the battery. lVith the relay El in its energized condition the indicator EL is energized through the following circuit:beginning at the terminal B of a suitable battery, front contact 228 of the relay El, wire 229, indicating lamp EL, to the common wire C connected to the other side of said battery.

The operator is thus informed that the approaching train has entered upon the track circuit containing track relay 81. It should be remembered t the indicatim lamp EL will remain illun s the dis returns it to the neutral position shown or moves it to either-extreme position, the stick circuit for the relay E1 is momentarily broken and this relay El again assumes its de-energirled position.

Let us assume that the dispatcher wishes the tram in question to continue its westward movement "into the main track of-the the stationary eontact 95 completes an energizing circuit for the control relay .Z which i may be traced as followsn beginning at the battery 7 5, wire 76, 'lever contact 71, wires and 69,winding-ofthe relay :LR, wires 10, 10 and 85, front contact 98 or the relay OS, wire-99 winding of the control relay Zto the common return wire C connected to the" midp'ointof the' battery .75. It should he; noted that energizationof the line relay LR did not cause the relay .EI to' loe pickedup, because the circuit for-the relay E1 is-broken the lever contact 212, as is. also thecircuit for th-e relay PA at the leverco-ntactQll. The-completion'of the circuitfor the control relay Z "just traced causes the neutral contacts ofthe relay Z to pick up and causes the polar contacts to remain in the right hand position shown. Since the switch machine already assuniesithe ma-in trackposition thezenergization of'the control relay Z will not affect the switch-machine SM. The pickingup of the neutral contact ilOO OfiZllG relay Z will however complete an energizing'circuit to the signallmechanisms of the signal. 1 which may be traced-as followsz-+heginning V at the terminal Bofa suitable source of. current, front'contact 100 of-therrela y Z, Wire 101, polar contact 102 oiithe same relay, wire 103,7cbntact 104 105 ofthe switch machine SM, wire .106, :signalmechanisms of the; signal 11 (not specifically shown) ,wire .107 front contact108 ofthe-home relay i1'H,;to1the common return-wire C Iconne ctedz to. the other terminal of: said source. 'With; this. circuit. .com pleted the signal 1 will assumeits clean-pro- ,ceedicondition. In thislconnection itris {dcsirable to point out that the polar home relay shalltakc-cthe siding'and not the mai-nrtrack-x I 1H is in .practice controlled. in accordance with the occupancy. of the. detectontrack circuit containingrelay- 2DqT and the condition of occupancyof the two lolocksnextinad- Vance thereof, and: controls thesezthree posiv tion signals 1 and 1 accordingly,-as showniin train in question may thus proceed in a Westwardly direction, and if the operator has acted immediately upon 1 the illumination of the lamp EL and has allowedthe, signal 1;t o clear before the train reached the signal '13, the train h-asanot' been restricted.

When thetraininquestion passes the signal 1 and treads r upon: the detectortrack Gin cuitth-e detector track relay 2111, is desen- Yergi'zed, and thereby due to ,openingofthecong 'tacts 50fand 56, effectswdeerenergization .011". the

relaytOS, the de-energiZation-of which causes the control relay-Z toa'he stuck up through I :the'following stick circuit :.;heginning atthe Z, common return wiresCand 'through back a contact v72and wire r73to the midpoint of the battery .60.v The flow of current in the circuit-just: traced iso-t the same polarity as t hat :tormerly'transmitted:fromjthe tower DO so that the'control'relay Z will remain in the -righthandenergizedposition. Droppingof I therelayQS hreaks the line circuit at-the contacti9-8hut connects the line wire 10;tjo the wire. 66 through contact" 65,, but this circuit is open atthe contactz208 of-the relay Z, so that the :line circuit from the dispatchers o-fiice atthe distant'traok switch has'been broken.

Theiopening'of-the line'circuit, as-just'men- 'tinned,de-energizesthe line relay LRat the :dispa-tchefis :office, and causes the following circuit to 'he completed for 'the indicating lamp "4: :beginning at the positive terminal 01 :the battery-75, wire? 6,contacts 1957711, wires :70: and 112,,back contact 113- of: the line 1 relay LR, wire 114,1amp4, wires 111,5, @Hdillfi, contact 96-8.3 of-,the-lever;L, wire 84;GQthe common return wire Guconnected to the-midpointof battery 75. The lamp4;,awill -for0bnous yreasonstremain illuminated so long a the'train inquest/ion occupies the detector track;circuit,.after'whichthe lamp 4 is again extinguished.

Let usnow consider the movement of a train ,inthesame direction which the disaf patcherafter being informed of its; approach upon the :track circuit containing :track 1 relay 3T,,may decide to} direct into thesiding of the passingsiding shown. ;-'I he"ap;proa l 0 I this train- ,upon the I track circuit containing 1;

track relay; 3T will effect illumination of: the indicating IampLE ett d spatcherfs ofiice for:reasonsiheretof -re g ve-1, Let us ssum that-the di patc er has drecidedithat histre The dispa her will ther ore movcth lc L erounte clockwise direction- S as o cause the control relay: Z to assume its dot-ted venerg-i ecl po ion,thi b causertheline Wire 10, is now-connected togthe negative endof'; the battery75,thns operatingtheswitchmachi-n6 SMt he vt lieding:-positi n- As the switch machine 3 is operated from one tothe other extreme position the enering -,strokc: gi-za i no e l y WP duringat pe io of op rati n: f h ,swit uni hiin and upon dropping f l y W Kmuscs momentary 'cl pping;of the e ay 0S, nd in turnJB 'meutary flashing Qt: hvei ndicating-lamp;"

signal 1 is clear, and this is possible only and similarly picking up of relay WP causes momentary dropping of relay OS, which in turn'causes momentary dropping of relay LR and momentary flashing of the indicating lamp 4, V V

The switch machine SM now having assumed its reverse position and the control relay Z is also assuming the reverse position permits the take siding signal 1 to be cleared through the following circuit :beginning at the terminal B of a suitable source otcurrent, front contact 100 01 the control Z wire 101, polar contact 102 assuming the dotted position, wire 129, contacts 104131, wire 132, control mechanism of the signal 1 wire 133,to the common return wire C connected to the other terminal of said source. In this connection it is desired to point out that this circuit may also include the front contact of a home relay controlled in accordance with traffic conditions over the siding, in the event that 'thesiding is also track circuitedfi It is also'desir'ed to point out that thesignal's 1 and 1d and 3 shown are preferably 3 position signals and have been thus convention- ;ally illustrated, althoughthe control circuits shown, illustrate only how they may be op' erated to two different positions,

The arrangement shown and described thus permits EISWltCll machine and signals 'to' be controlled over a single line circuit,

over which-the response of the switch machine to its control may be indicated, the approach of a train at a distant point, and the passage of a train over a detector track circuit may be indicated over this same line ircuit, and in which the passage of the train by the two different points is distinctively indicated by two difierent indicating lamps. In this connection it should be noted that i the passage of a train over the detector track c1rcu1t containing relay QDT 1s never indicated by the indicating lamp 15, because no train is permitted to pass over this detector track circuit unless either the signal 1 or with the control lever -L in an extreme position. 7 I

It may, by way of explanation, be pointed out here that if the lever in the tower D0 is in its middle neu'tralposition the dropping of the relay EA will cause momentarily 5 dropping of the relay EX, in the same man- 'ner as already described, and momentarily V dropping of the relay EX will apply. a posi-' tive potential to the line wire 10 and relay PA, providing the usual directional'stick relay 28 of the signal 2 is not upas it would be if the relay EA had dropped by a departing train, through the following circuit :i'beginning at the positive side of battery 60, wire 200,;back contact 2010f the relay EX,wire 202, front contact203' of the relay WVA, wire 204i, back contact 205 of the directional 'stick relay 2S, wires 206and 20 7,

manner be applied in the rearot cally operated derail located at a railroad relay PA toward the right for an instant and in so doing picks up and sticks up-the relay El through clrouits readily traced in the drawing. Withthe east indicating relay E1 in the dispatchers oflice in its energized condltion the circuit for the east 1nd1- eating lamp EL is closed so that this lamp Wlll remain energized untll the dispatcher wishes to extinguish the same. This may be done by movlng the lever L from its neutral position momentarily thereby breaking the stick vcircuit for the stick relay El at the contact 212;

In the same way as just explained in con nection with a train approaching from the east, the approach of a train from the west is indicated at the indicating lamp L on the dispatchers miniature track layout by reason of the indicating stick relay WI being stuck up in response to a negative impulsereceived by the polar relay PA due to momentary dropping of the relay VVX at the distant siding, this dropping of the relay VVX applying negativepotential to the line circuit 10 momentarily, For convenience, the corresponding contacts and wires for this later circuit for indicating the approach of a train from the west have been given like 3 reference numbers with the distinctive exponents one as those of the circuit for indicating the approach of a train from the east just traced.

If the relay WP is omitted, as it may be when the switch machine operation is not to be indicated, the wires 53 and 57 would be connected together.

Although theinvention has been shown applied to a track layout including a track switch, and wherein-the approach of a train within say one mile of such track switch from either direction is indicated it is desired to be understood that the invention may in like an electricrossing and the dispatcher may by this application of the invention be able to get intormation over the same line circuit used for 'controlhng the derail as to the approach of a train, so that he may remove the derail if traffic conditions" are safe and permit clearing of the signals associated with such derail. In other words,'substantially the same 1 circuit arrangement, modified onlyin a manner as obvious to those skilled in the art of railroad signaling, may be used for controlling a derail at a railroad crossing and tomdicate the approach of a train within, say one mile, of such derail, all substantially as shown in the accompanying drawings exemplifying one embodiment of the invention.

Further, it is desired to point outthat in stead of including the contacts 56 in-the wire 57 they may beincluded in the wire 53, in which event the contacts in the energizing circuit of the relay WP may be omitted. Also in theevent the contacts 50 are omitted, the contacts 56 may be included in the wire 51. Having thus shown and described one specific embodiment of the invention and having shown many of the devices forming parts of the novel combinations, conventionally, it is desired to be understood that this has been done for the purpose of simplllying the description of the invention, and'has not been done'for the purpose oi": illustrating the'scope of the invention nor the exact construction preferably employed in practicing the same; and it is further desired to be understood that various changes, modifications and additions may be made to adapt the invention to the particular problems encountered in practicing the-same,all without departing from the scope of the invention or the idea of means underlying the same, except as demanded by the scope of the following claims;

vVhat I claim is 1. In a train dispatching system of the signal indicating type, the combination with a single line circuit and associated apparatus for controlling a distant wayside signal and indicating at the dispatchers ol'lice the passage of a train by such signal, and means for distinctively indicating over the same line circuit the approach of a train toward said signal when such approaching train has come within vision of the next signal in the; rear of such signal.

2. In a train dispatching system of the signal indicating type, the combination with. v a simple line c1rcu1t and associated appara, tus for controlling a distantwayside signal and indicating at the dispatchers oflice the passage of a train by such signal by the flow of current transmitted from a source at the dispatchers oflice and means for distinctively indicating over the same line circuit the ap proach of a train toward said signal from a considerable distance by the flow of current from a source at said signal. 7

3. A train dispatching system of the signal indicating type comprising, a single line circuit extending ,from a local dispatcherls office to a distant control point havingsignals, adjacent thereto, a control relay adjacent said signals controlled oversaid line circuit by energy from said dispatchers otlice through suitable lever contacts operable by the dispatcher, a signal lamp energized when saidline circuit is broken in response to the passage of a train by such signals, and another signal lamp energized in-response to energization of said line circuit from a source of current at said distant point to indicate the'approach of a train toward "said point.

l. A traindispatching system of the signal indicating type comprising, a singleline circuit extending from a local dispatchers ollice to a distant control pointhaving'signals adjacentthereto, a control relay adjacent said signals controlled by energy fromsaid dis: patchen's ofiice through suitable lever contacts" operable by the dispatcher, a signal lamp energized when said line circuit is broken as, for'instanca'in response to the passage of a train by such signals, and two other signal lamps respectively energized fin responseto the polarity of current applied to sa1d line circuitat sa1d distantzpoint, said to a distant control point havingsign'a ls ad-- jac'ent thereto, a control relayadjacent'said signals-controlled by energy transmittedover said line-circuit from saiddispatcherls oliice through su table lever contacts operable f by the dispatcher, a signal lamp at the dispatcher s oliice energize'dflwhen said line circuit is broken in response to the passage of a trainby such signals, and two other signal'lamps respectively energized in response to the polarity of current. applied to said line circuit at said distant'point, oneof whichlamps if energized indicates that'there ls'a train approaching from one direction and the other lamp of which if energized indicates that there is'a train approaching from'the other direction. p p

6. A train dispatching systemo'f the wayside signalindicating type comprising, a simple line circuit'extending from arlocal dispatchers ofiic'e to a distant way station con- ;trol point at which signals are'located, athree reposition polar control relay atfsaid way station connected to said line circuit and energized to oneposition or theother depending on the polarity of current applied'to said line circuit at said dispatchers offic'e, a signal lamp atfsaid ofi'ice illuminated when said line circuit is energized from the dispatchers end but is opened by'means' for openingthe same in response toatrain passing saidsi'gnals, asecond lamp at said dispatchers ofl ice energized it. there is a train approachlng sa1d signals from the one direction and'in so doingmo mentarily applies posltlvepotential to "sa1d linecircuit atsaid way station, and a third lamp atthedispatchers oilice energized 1f there is a train approachingsaid signals from the opposite direction and in so doing momentarily applies negative potential to said line circuit.

7. A train dispatching system of the wayside signal indicating type comprising, a simple line circuit extending from a local dispatchers ofiice to a distant way station control point at which signals are located, a three position polar control relay at said way station connected to said line circuit and energized to one position or the other depending on the polarity of current applied to said line at said dispatchers oll'ice, circuits for controlling said signals in accordance with the conditions of said control relay, an indicating lamp at the dispatchers oliice energized when a lever in said office is moved from normal and assumes a position to cause current to flow in said line circuit from a source at said office but there is no such cur-rent rlowingdue to the fact that said line circuit is open, means for opening said line circuit at the way station end when a train passes one of said signals,

means for energizing said line circuit from.

the way station end it there is a. train approaching said signals, and another indicating lamp atthe dispatchers office illuminated in response to energization of said line circuit from the source at said way station.

8. A train dispatching system of the wayside signal indicating type comprising, a simple line circuitextending from a local dispatchers office to a distant way station control point at which signals are located, athree position polar control relay at said way station connected to said line circuit and energized to one position or the other depending on the polarity of current applied to the line circuit at said dispatchers otfice, circuits for controlling said signals in accordance with the conditions of said control relay, an indicating lamp at the dispatchers office energized when a lever in said ofiice is moved from normal and assumes a position to cause current to flow in said line circuit from a source at said oflice but there is no such current flowing due to the fact that said line circuit is open, means for opening said line circuit at the way station end when a train passes one of said signals, means for energizing said line circuit from the way station end by a polarity when there is a train approaching depending on the direction from which said train is approaching, and two indicators in said dispatchers oflice one of which manifests the approach of a train in one direction and the other of which manifests the approach or train in the other direction toward said signals in response to the polarity of energization of said line circuit from a source at said way station it said lever is in its normal position.

9. A train dispatching system of the way side signal indicating type comprising, a distant track switch, a power operated switch machine for operating said track switch, a control relay for controlling said switch machine, a simple line circuit for controlling said control relay from a local source of current at a local dispatchers olllce, and means for indicating the passage of a train over said switch by from the same source and indicating the approach of a train toward said switch from an appreciable distance'over the said line circuit by a source or current local d at said switch machine.

10. A t1? t hing system of the wayrising, a distant traclr switch, a power operated switch machine "for operating said tract: switch, a control relay for con olling said switch machine, a simple line circuit for controlling said control relay from a local source of current at a local dispatchefls oli'ice, and mea s for distinctively indicating by separateindicators the passa of a train over said switch, the app 0. of a train from one direction towaro said switch and the approach of a train from another direction toward switch over the same simple line circuit.

11. In a railwa Y traitlic controlling system, a local ofiice, a distant traffic controlling device, means for controlling said distant trallic cor oi ng device "iclnding a simple line circuit cinecting s id cities and tratiic controlling device anu a source of current at said dispatchers office, and means for continuously indicating at said office the approach of a. train toward sair trallic controlling device over the same line circuit and including a source of current located at said trai ic controlling device.

12. A train di itching system 3y the way side signal indica ng type comprising, a distant track switch, a power operated switch machine for operating said track switch, a control relay for controlling said switch machine, a simple line circuit for controlling said control relay from a local source of current at a local ispatchers o'lhce, an approach relay and an energizing circuit therefore extending a considerable distance along the track for locking said switch machine against operation by said control relav if there is a train approaching within saio. distance, and means including said approach relay for indicating at said tower the approach of a toward said switch machine at said considerable distance.

13. In atrain dispatching system; the combination with a line wire an-cla common return wire each connecting a local dispatchers office and a distant signal location; of a line relay and a polar approach indicating relay in said ofiice; alever in said otiiee which may assume an intermediate or either of two extreme positions, and which it in its intermediate position connects said polar indicating relay between said line wire and said return wire, it in one extreme position con- I "so iiects said line relay in series with a source of onepolarity and between said line wire and said return wire, and if in the other extreme position connects said line relay in series with a source of the reverse polarity and-between said line wire and said return wire; a polar control relay at said distant signal for controlling such distant signal energized in accordance with the polarity of the source of current connected to the line and return wire;

means efl ective if said control relay is de-energized for applying a source of current between said line and return wire at said signal in response to the approach of a train the polarity of which depends upon the direction from which such train is approaching to effect energization of said polar relay in ,a corresponding direction; a normally closed contact in series with said control relay open when there is a trainpassing said signal; and three indicating lamps in said oiiice one ill'uminated when said-line relay -is tie-energized with said lever in one of its extreme positions, one illuminated when said polar relay is energized in one'direction and the other illuminated when said polar relay is energized in the other direction.

14;. In a train dispatching system gillB'COHl: bination with a line wire and a common return wire each connecting a local dispatchers ofiice and a distant signal location; of a polar approach indicating relay in said ofiice; a lever'in said oiiice which may assume an intermediate or either of two extreme positions, and which if in. its intermediate posi tion connects said polar indicating relay be- .tweensaid line wire and said return wire,

and if in either extreme position connects said line relay in series with a source of one polarity and between said line wire and said return wire, and if in the other extreme position connects said line relay in series with a source of the reverse polarity and between said line wire and said return wire; a polar control relay at said distant signal for con trolling such distant signal energized in accordance with the polarity of the source of current connected to the line and return wire; means effective if said control relay is deenergized for applying a source of current between said line and return wire atsaid signal in response to the approach of a train the polarity of which depends upon the direcpatchers office and a distant signal including a control relay connected in series in said circuit at the signal end of said circuit and a manually operable lever having a contact connected in series with a source of current at the office end of said circuit, of another contact on said lever closed when said first mentioned contact is open and which if closed includes an indicating relay in said circuit at the o-iiice end of said circuit, means eifec: tive lfSfllCl control relay is in its de-energized condition and there is a train approaching said signal for including a source of current in said line circuit at said signal end of said circuit to energize said indicating relay, and an indicator controlled by said indicating relay. 'v V I i o 16. In a train dispatching system, the combinationwith a line circuit connecting ardispatchers oifice and a distant signal including a control relay. connected in series in said circuit at the signal endof said circuit and a manually operable lever having a contact connected in series with anindicating relay at the oflice end of said circuit, of another contact on said lever closed when said first mentioned contact is open and which if closed o includes a source of current in series with said indicating relay and line circuit at said oflice end, means efi'ective if said control re lay is de-energized for energizing said indicating "relay from a source of current located at said signallocation.

In testimony whereofI aflix my signature.

SEDGWICK Nrwioiir D I SO LA! M E F? 1,794,567.Sedgwiclc N. Wight, Rochester, N. Y. TRAIN-DISPATCHING SYSTEM FOR RArLRoADs. Patent dated March 3, 1931. Disclaimer filed February 16, 1934, by the assignee, General Railway Signal Company. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 1, 11, and 12 of said Letters Patent, which are in the following words, to wit:

1. In a train dispatching system of the signal indicating type, the combination with a single line circuit and-associated apparatus for controlling a distant wayside signal and indicating at the dispatchers office the passage of a train by such signal,

and means for distinctively indicating over the same line clrcuit the approach of a train toward said signal when such approaching train has come within vision of the next signal 1n the rear of such signal.

' 11. In a railway traflic controlling system, a local ofiice, a distant traific controlling device, means for controlling said distant traflic controlling device including a simple line circuit connecting said office and traffic controlling device and a source of current at said dispatchers oflice, and means for continuously indicating at said office the approach of a train toward said traffic controlling device over the same line circuit and including a source of current located at said trafiic controlling device.

12. A train dispatching system by the wayside signal indicating type comprising a distant track switch, a power operated switch machine for operating said track switch, a control relay for controlling said switch machine, a simple line circuit for controlling said control relay from a local source of current at a local dispatchers oflice, an approach relay and an energizing circuit therefore extending a considerable distance along the track for locking said switch machine against operation by said control relay if there is a train approaching within said distance, and means including said approach relay for indicating at said tower the approach of a train toward said switch machine at said considerable distance.

[Ofiicial Gazette March 18, 1.934.] 

